This Request seeks scientific community nominations of additional human eukaryotic pathogens and invertebrate vectors of infectious diseases to be considered by NHGRI and NIAID as candidates for genomic sequencing.

Background
Genomic sequencing contributes to our understanding of the molecular diversity of pathogens and vectors of infectious diseases and provides insights into the pathogenesis, drug resistance and infectivity of pathogens. It offers tremendous potential to direct the discovery of targets for diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines against pathogens, as well as the identification of novel vector control targets. To date, only limited genomic sequencing has been done for the vast number of human eukaryotic pathogens and invertebrate vectors of infectious diseases. In response to the need to continue sequencing human eukaryotic pathogens and invertebrate vectors of infectious diseases and to promote collaboration among scientists, NHGRI and NIAID are continuing to coordinate their efforts in this area.

In November 2006, the two Institutes sponsored a workshop to i) identify the most significant human eukaryotic pathogens and invertebrate vectors of infectious diseases as initial candidates for sequencing; ii) evaluate the usefulness and limitations of pathogen and vector genomic data for studying infectious diseases; and iii) discover potential targets for vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and vector control. (See http://www.genome.gov/26525388 for the workshop summary.) In response to the recommendations developed at the workshop, the Institutes established a Human Pathogens and Disease Vectors Sequencing Target Selection (P&V) Working Group (See http://www.genome.gov/26525388 for Working Group roster), whose members have expertise spanning a broad range of eukaryotic pathogen and vector organisms. The group was charged to work in consultation with the scientific community to recommend high priority human eukaryotic pathogens and invertebrate vectors as potential sequencing targets. To date, the Working Group has developed and submitted white papers addressing the three highest priorities identified at the workshop, Plasmodium, Trypanosome and Anopheles, all of which have been approved by the two Institutes (see http://www.genome.gov/26525388 and http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/LabsAndResources/resources/mscs/pathogen/ for approved white papers).

Purpose

NHGRI and NIAID seek nominations of additional human eukaryotic pathogens and invertebrate vectors of infectious diseases as candidate targets for genomic sequencing. Recommended targets are expected to be human eukaryotic pathogens or invertebrate vectors of infectious diseases. Rare exceptions may be considered for model organisms, but strong justifications must be made for their role in understanding human pathogens and disease vectors. The intent of this notice is to ensure that the Institutes obtain the widest possible community input on the selection of pathogens and vectors as sequencing targets.

Process

It is anticipated that recommended sequencing targets will be reviewed three times a year by NHGRI and NIAID along with the P&V Working Group. Priority will be given to nominated eukaryotic pathogens and vectors of infectious diseases of high clinical and biomedical significance. The Institutes and the Working Group will integrate and may substantially add to or otherwise modify the information garnered through the nomination process. The resulting set of selected targets will be proposed for sequencing in the form of white papers that provide defined sequencing targets, a scientific rationale, and a proposed sequencing strategy. White papers will be composed by writing groups that will include members of the scientific community and may include members of the P&V Working Group. Subsequently, the Working Group and staff will evaluate the white papers for their readiness for submission to the NHGRI Advisory Council and NIAID Genome Sequencing Centers Program for final approval. The approval of white papers will be based on the proposed targets’ clinical and biomedical significance and technical feasibility for genomic sequencing, sample availability, as well as availability of sequencing capacity at the NHGRI and NIAID-funded Sequencing Centers (http://www.hgsc.bcm.tmc.edu/, http://genome.wustl.edu/, http://www.broad.mit.edu/, http://msc.jcvi.org/, and http://www.igs.umaryland.edu/).

Approved targets will be assigned for genomic sequencing to one of the sequencing centers. All genomic data will be released rapidly by the centers according to the policies of the two Institutes (http://www.genome.gov/10506376,
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/LabsAndResources/resources/gsc/data.htm)

Please provide (at most three pages total) the following information on human eukaryotic pathogens or invertebrate vectors of infectious diseases for consideration by the Institutes for sequencing.